Press Release

Legendary American Chefs to be Featured at Auction Napa Valley 2009

5/15/2009 - St. Helena, CA-The economy may be down, but the desire to support worthy charitable causes still remains strong as seven renowned chefs from across the U.S. will converge at the Napa Valley Vintners' annual community fundraiser, Auction Napa Valley 2009, to man the stoves for the Live Auction and Dinner on Saturday, June 6.

Legendary American chefs Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter's, Chicago; Dean Fearing of Fearing's at the Ritz Carlton Dallas; Joachim Splichal of Patina Restaurant and the Patina Group, Los Angeles; Joseph Humphrey of Murray Circle at Cavallo Point in Sausalito, CA; Christopher Kostow, of The Restaurant at Meadowood Napa Valley; Vincent Nattress of Meadowood Napa Valley; and Deanie Fox of Ubuntu, Napa, will prepare the multi-course dinner built around Napa Valley wines for the evening's bidders.

"Doing good and having fun don't have to be mutually exclusive - and we're hoping that at this year's fundraiser, they'll be in direct proportion to each other - so we've put together a stellar auction and an incredible dinner menu for Live Auction attendees," said Janet Trefethen, whose family owns and operates Trefethen Family Vineyards and is serving as the chairs for Auction Napa Valley 2009. "We've invited a mix of Napa Valley's terrific chefs and the nation's finest chefs who have been longtime friends of our family and supporters of Napa Valley to join together for this cause."

"Our commitment is to these charities," says Meadowood Napa Valley's Executive Chef Vincent Nattress who along with his culinary team not only creates part of the meal, but coordinates the entire culinary logistics of the visiting chefs. He continued, "And we are going to do our best to raise needed funds for our hospitals, children's healthcare, after-school programs, affordable housing and numerous other programs - while offering those whose bids provide those funds with the hospitality for which the Napa Valley is known. Our team of chefs is part of the draw for the food and wine lovers who come from around the world to support Auction Napa Valley, and we thank them for partnering with us on this fundraiser."

Indeed, no matter the results of this year Auction, the NVV has pledged to distribute a minimum of $5 million to its beneficiaries this year as part of a five-year, $25 million commitment to the Napa Valley community made in 2007. Any funds raised in excess will also be distributed to beneficiaries each year.

Memorable Culinary Experience - While Doing Good!

A limited number of Tickets Still Available

While the All-American Day tickets and Taste Napa Valley tickets are sold out, there are still a very limited number of Classic full package tickets available, at $2,500 per person. Classic packages offer bidders the entire Auction festivities from Thursday through Sunday including the private dinner parties with vintners and the Live Auction and dinner at Meadowood Napa Valley. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.napavintners.com

About ANV
Established by the NVV in 1981, ANV is the original and most successful charity wine auction in America, having given $85 million since its inception for healthcare, youth development and affordable housing non-profits in Napa County. NVV is proud of its member's contributions, raising desperately needed funds through ANV and for being the backbone of all other charity wine auctions across the U.S.

About the NVV
The Napa Valley Vintners is the non-profit trade association responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley appellation as the premier winegrowing region. The organization celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. From seven founding members in 1944, today the association represents nearly 350 Napa Valley wineries and collectively is a leader in the world-wide wine industry. To learn more about the region and its legendary American wines, visit www.napavintners.com